Lois Capps

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. (Mrs. CAPPS asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Chairman, I wish to discuss one critically important component of this bill, the $200 million in aid to the Palestinians. The President has requested $350 million for the Palestinians, and he asks that $200 million be included in today's supplemental bill. The President believes, as do I, that it is imperative to deliver U.S. assistance quickly to improve Palestinians' quality of life and empower their democratically elected leadership. I am pleased this bill funds the Palestinian assistance request. This money will be used on critical projects, such transportation infrastructure, drinking water, business and trade, education and democratic and legal reforms. Mr. Chairman, on January 9, I was privileged to witness the remarkable Palestinian presidential election firsthand. I saw democracy taking hold in Palestine. I saw the mandate being handed to President Abbas. The Palestinian people support their new president's goals, to end the armed intifadah and to create a viable state living in peace alongside Israel. Mr. Chairman, the Arafat era is over. The new Palestinian president and his government are making great strides. They are committed to political reform. Their financial reform efforts, which are led by Minister Salaam Fayyad, have produced profound accountability and transparency. On the critical question of security, President Abbas is also off to a good start. He has clearly and unequivocally condemned terrorism. With the exception of one horrific bombing in Tel Aviv, the cease-fire has held. The Palestinian security forces have begun to fight terror and incitement. They have arrested terrorists for the first time in many years. Yesterday, here on Capitol Hill, the ambassador of Israel sat next to the Palestinian ambassador and praised the Palestinian Authority for their security efforts. Prime Minister Sharon has welcomed the Palestinian moves as well. Mr. Chairman, the real question before us today is not whether to keep the $200 million for Palestinian assistance in this bill. Clearly, this package serves U.S. national interests and will enhance Israel's security and the quality of life for the Palestinians. But the real question is whether the U.S. Congress is serious about working with President Bush, Prime Minister Sharon, and President Abbas to seize this historic opportunity. The excessive conditions and limitations placed on this package may undermine progress toward peace. Of course, we must secure transparency and accountability; but the requirements in this legislation go far beyond what we demanded in the Arafat era. Imagine that. President Bush and Prime Minister Sharon are helping to strengthen and empower President Abbas, but at the same time Congress will slap more conditions on them than they ever did on Arafat. One especially troubling provision in the bill strikes the national security waiver under which the President could provide some of this aid directly to the Palestinian Authority. President Bush has decided in the past that some U.S. aid be directed to the authority. This bill would prevent him from doing that, tying his hands at the very moment that he most needs flexibility to promote our interests in the Middle East. My colleagues should understand this bill puts more restrictions on the President than we ever placed on President Clinton. Mr. Chairman, there is a broad consensus in the American pro-Israel community in support of the President's aid request for the Palestinians. The Jewish Council For Public Affairs, the umbrella group of 13 prominent national organizations and 122 local Jewish communities, has recently urged Congress to fund the Palestinian request in its entirety. The Union For Reform Judaism, representing 1.5 million American Jews, believes the aid should go directly to the Palestinian Authority. Americans for Peace Now wants us to support this package and remove the excessive conditions that the committee has placed on it. In asking us to support a clean aid package, M.J. Rosenberg of the Israel Policy Forum states the following: ``Israel wants a strong Palestinian Authority that can and will liquidate the suicide bombers and build a democracy that will live in peace with Israel.'' The Arafat years are over. Fragile as it may be, a new flame of hope and optimism has been kindled in the Middle East. Shame on us as Americans if we do not do whatever we can to seize this historic opportunity. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support the $200 million in Palestinian assistance, I urge us to reject any amendments to strip this aid, and I hope in the conference with the Senate that we can give back to the President the flexibility he needs to promote U.S. security interests in the region.

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to this amendment. This amendment will only hurt the Palestinian people. It will harm Israel security and undermine our own national interests. The Arafat era is over. In contrast to the partners in the previous agreements, Palestinians have a new president, Mahmoud Abbas, who was chosen in a free and fair election. His government has instituted excellent financial reforms. His security efforts are paying off and have gained the praise of Prime Minister Sharon. We must strengthen and empower the new Palestinian government. President Bush has requested this aid package to help fund a number of critical humanitarian and infrastructure projects. Israel's safety and security will only be assured if the new Palestinian leadership gains credibility with its own people, and that is why the Israelis support this aid package. That is why many pro-Israeli-American groups support it as well. In fact, a number of national Jewish organizations would like Congress even to put fewer restrictions on the aid bill than the bill contains. I urge a ``no'' vote on the Weiner amendment.

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lifetime's Stop the Violence Week and highlight the epidemic of domestic violence in our Nation; 85 percent of the victims are women. But only half of them report an injury. And of these, only a few percent even seek out medical assistance. Domestic violence is a serious health concern but for too long has been treated solely as a criminal issue. So I will soon reintroduce the Domestic Violence Screening Treatment and Prevention Act. This bill would train health professionals to assess victims for signs of abuse and prepare them for intervention if needed. Routine screening by a physician or a nurse could unlock options for thousands of women. Mr. Speaker, Congress must ensure domestic violence screening is common medical practice, in every doctor's office in every State. Routine screening will enable early detection of domestic violence before it becomes life threatening. So I urge my colleagues not to ignore this nationwide epidemic. And let us work hard to institute a public health protocol for addressing this major epidemic in our society today.

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise to add my thoughts in remembrance of our dear friend and colleague, Tillie Fowler. I pay tribute to her, her service here, the events in her life that made her who she was with respect to her family and her community. I knew her here in this place. I first got to know Tillie through her friendship with my late husband, Congressman Walter Capps. Walter and Tillie served only 10 months together before his death in 1997, and it might have appeared that they did not have much in common, but, in fact, they did. Tillie had been elected to a district that had been represented by a Democrat for 42 years. Walter's district had been represented by Republicans for 50 years. Both Tillie and Walter understood that it was more important to try to reach bipartisan solutions than to engage in partisan politics. Even as she rose through the ranks of her party's leadership, and that has been attested to this evening, a strong and loyal leader within the Republican Conference, Tillie always tried to work across the aisle on issues that were important to her. One such issue where again she worked closely with my husband, Walter, was her support for the humanities. Like Walter, Tillie had once served as her State's humanities chair. And back in the days when funding for the National Endowment for the Humanities was in the crosshairs of congressional budget cutters, Tillie stood up to protect that program. The fact that support for the NEH is now stronger than ever in Congress is due in no small part to all of Tillie's efforts a few years ago. She also helped to pioneer the bipartisan nature of the Congressional Caucus on Women's Issues. Here again, she tried to bring Members of both parties together to address the serious issues affecting American women, and she bravely challenged her own party leaders to moderate their relentless focus on reproductive rights. After leaving the House, Tillie combined her military expertise with her support for women's rights when she headed up the panel to review sexual misconduct at the Air Force Academy. She also served on the panel charged with investigating prisoner abuse at Abu Ghraib. These difficult assignments demonstrated Tillie's belief that we can best support our military by uncovering the truth and ensuring that these horrible scandals never be allowed to repeat themselves. Tillie Fowler was a very proud Republican, and her party can be honored and proud of her. But she did not put her party over her principles. During one particularly tough election that I was engaged in, my opponent announced that Tillie had endorsed and would campaign for him. But she came up to me on the floor one day and told me that it was not true. As Eleanor Clift just wrote in her heartfelt Newsweek obituary, Tillie always said, ``I can't sit next to them one day and campaign against them the next. If I'm your friend, then I'm your friend.'' We will all dearly miss our friend Tillie and we mourn today that there simply are not enough people like her. She will be missed, and she will always be remembered with great honor.

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to the UCSB Men's soccer team, following a spectacular 2004 season where they placed 2nd in the NCAA. The Gaucho Men's soccer team finished their remarkable season with a 21-3-1 record. In addition, four players were honored on the 2004 NCAA Men's Soccer College Cup All-Tournament Team. Their season, as well as their performance in the NCAA Championship match, gives all UCSB students, faculty and Alumni something to be very proud of. During the final home matches, community members and students alike flocked to UCSB to support the Gaucho men. The talent of this team has certainly brought UCSB to the forefront of Men's soccer, proving again that UCSB should be known not only for its academics and physical beauty, but also for its many outstanding athletic programs. Mr. Speaker, raw talent and the ability to beat virtually any opponent are not the only attributes of this team, however. The Gaucho Men are also community volunteers, setting a positive example for their peers and for younger players in the Santa Barbara community. They recently participated in a fitness day at Santa Barbara City College, aimed at encouraging kids and adults alike to maintain healthy lifestyles. Many young people in the Santa Barbara community love to play soccer and being able to interact with the UCSB players is a wonderful opportunity. As a nurse, I understand firsthand the importance of encouraging our youth to get physically active. The Gaucho Men help to achieve this goal by mentoring young players and leading by positive example. I am so proud to represent the UCSB campus, and the Gaucho Men's soccer team has given me one more reason to boast to my colleagues that Santa Barbara truly is paradise.

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. If my colleague would yield, thank you. Your numbers and your graph, the pie chart are graphic and significant, and I would like to put a face on that so that I can give you an example from one of the non retirees that I met this past week in my district who are one of the one-third of the Social Security benefits who are not seniors. Last week, I held discussions with my constituents to hear their thoughts on the President's plan to privatize Social Security. I heard from many women, several in very different circumstances, yet each of them depending on Social Security in order to make ends meet in their lives. I heard for example from a 54-year old woman from San Luis Obispo County in California who receives Social Security disability payments due to a work-related injury which occurred 8 years ago. At that time, she earned a considerable salary and she and her husband had invested 15 percent of their income to save for retirement. One could point to them as a model for the kind of American family that we like to hold up as an example of people who work hard, earn a good salary, and then are also saving for retirement. However, an injury prevented her from returning to work so that she and her husband subsequently divorced and her investments that she had carefully set aside plummeted during the market turndown a few years ago. And here she was, ready, she said, to be turned out on to the street after living what she called an exemplary life. As a divorcee with a chronic injury, she is now forced to rely on disability payments. She said to the group, she said, I never thought I would be in the position where that Wednesday of every month that that check comes is like a birthday, it is a big celebration in my life to know that that Social Security check is there for me. She said I never even dreamed about how I would be dependent on this. And these are the disability payments she and her young daughter now are receiving that are the essential platform for how she is able to live. Though she does gets some income from disability insurance, these payments, these disability payments will end when she turns 65. And when she turns 65, that is just 10 years in the future for her, she is going to have to further rely on Social Security because the majority of her retirement investments were lost in the unstable markets, and that is why she knows very well how important keeping Social Security, that covenant, that trust between generations, because of what the difference is that it has meant in her life. It is designed to be the one thing that is not a risk in the inevitable ups and downs of the market of the stock market. We cannot afford to jeopardize this critical safety net. Too many of our fellow citizens rely upon it. So we must get the word out that our constituents are telling us and not be fooled by the rhetoric of an administration which is really seeking to gut Social Security. Social Security, as we know it, has been the cornerstone of American life for the past 70 years. And I believe that my children, daughters and sons, and my grandchildren should be able to enjoy that which we believe in so much. And I know that my colleague has some concluding remarks as well.

Mrs. CAPPS. Thank you. And thank you to my colleague, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Solis), both of us serving on the Health Subcommittee of Energy and Commerce, where this issue has particular relevance for women and thinking about the health priorities that women always hold dear. We thank our colleague from Ways and Means Committee, the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Larson) for organizing this with us to focus on the effect that Social Security has on womens' lives. I speak from a public health perspective as someone who is engaged with families in our communities on public health and the devastating effect that privatizing Social Security would have on the majority of its women, recipients who are women. As has been mentioned already, but I do not think we can say it often enough, women on average earn 77 cents to the dollar, to every dollar that a man makes. Yet, they live longer and rely more heavily. This is a demonstrated fact that women rely more heavily on Social Security to support them in their later years. Women are more likely to interrupt their careers to stay at home to care for children, therefore are significantly less likely than men to receive a pension. And for those women who do receive a pension, their benefits are about one-half of the benefit that men receive. Fortunately, Social Security is more than just a retirement program. It is a social insurance program structured to help women such as those Ms. Solis and I know very well, to overcome the hurdles that they face after raising families, caring for their parents, working, but not as much as men do, most likely because they have interrupted their careers, then to face widowhood. And I am a widow. I know very well some of the challenges that widows face, to overcome the hurdles of older years. For example, lower earning workers earn higher benefits relative to what they have paid into Social Security taxes. Social Security also has spousal benefits. For example, a wife gets half of her husband's benefit at age 65 and the full benefit should he die before her as is often the case. But oftentimes this is the sole life support for such a woman in her older years. Social Security also has survivor benefits that help families when the primary owner has died prematurely. Sometimes and often that primary worker is a man, is the husband, and the provider for the family. So that young widow who is raising now by herself her children and is engaged in all of the other responsibilities that she has, now she is left to live on the Social Security benefit provided her as a survivor. In these cases, benefits are paid to the surviving spouse and dependent children. These are all critically important benefits, important to millions of women and these are all benefits which are at risk of being lost in a privatized system. And I will yield back now for further comment from my colleague from California (Ms. Solis).

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Connecticut for this time that we can share together. Now the gentleman has been joined by two colleagues who have been engaged with some of our leaders in the community. Women's Policy, Incorporated, is a nonprofit organization that provides resources in the way of information and policy awareness and opportunities for us as women to pool our resources intellectually and our moral courage, if you will, to join with Members of the House. We were recognized this evening, along with one of our pioneer women, Shirley Chisholm, in memory of her, and also today the knowledge that our former colleague, Tillie Fowler, is no longer with us on Earth, people who have paved the way for us as women Members of Congress to join with our colleagues who are of the other gender, but who together recognize that we are speaking on a social program, Social Security, which has now a 70-year history with us. I am going to ask the gentleman to yield first to my colleague, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Solis), who is the newly elected cochair of the Women's Caucus from our side of the aisle, to join with the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite) on the Republican side, to lead our women Members in voicing our concern about women's issues, one of which has got to be Social Security, which impacts women to a greater degree than it does men for the reasons we will state.

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CAPPS. I think the gentlewoman is right, that this is a message that we are echoing here on the floor of the House, that we have been hearing from our constituents. Their voices need to be heard as we debate one of most, if not the most important program that we have as a country determined is important within our values framework, what we believe in, that it is to be an American, that we are going to look out for those who are elders and those who are frail and have disabilities, widows and orphans living among us. There are lots of scripture texts that reinforce the importance of doing this. So we will use the opportunity that we have for Special Orders to do this. And I believe we now will yield back any remainder of the time that we might have.

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce, the oldest and largest voluntary organization in San Luis Obispo County, on the occasion of their 100th Anniversary. Rarely has a local organization done more to improve the quality of life of an entire region than the San Luis Obispo Chamber. When the Chamber opened in 1905, the railroad had come to town just a few years before, and San Luis was developing an economy that went beyond farming for the first time. Led by CEO Dave Garth for the last 32 years, the Chamber now boasts 1,389 members and a staff of 15. The Chamber will celebrate its centennial with a dinner at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo on March 12, 2005. This vibrant and active organization has contributed an enormous amount to a community that I am terribly proud to represent.

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague and friend for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, January 9 was an important and historic day. For many Palestinians it was a once-in-a-lifetime event. They went to the polls and elected a new president in a contested, free, and fair election. The Palestinian election was a milestone not only for the Palestinian people but for the safety of Israel and for our own national security as well. I was privileged to witness this remarkable event with my own eyes. From 5:30 in the morning until nearly midnight I traveled in and around Bethlehem in my capacity as an election observer for the mission co- sponsored by the National Democratic Institute and the Carter Center. Let me first take a moment and commend President Carter, Governor Christie Todd Whitman, former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt, and NDI President Ken Wollack for leading our delegation and the 80 participants from 16 different nations who did a remarkable job. With a few exceptions, what I observed in Bethlehem held true across the West Bank and Gaza. The balloting process was exceptionally well organized, in part because nearly 14,000 public school teachers were deployed as election officials. The Israeli Government did a good job facilitating freedom of movement in the territories. There was little violence. In fact, an almost reverential quiet enveloped the polling places. It was truly moving to see Palestinian people, young and old, embracing this democratic exercise with such purpose and resolve. Mr. Speaker, Israelis and Americans should welcome the choice of the Palestinian people. Abu Mazen is a proven leader with a long track record of negotiating for peace. He is off to a decent start. Abu Mazen cannot prevent terrorism overnight, neither can we; but he has already sent a strong and successful message to Hamas and the Islamic Jihad to halt the attacks. His security forces have deployed in Gaza. He has unequivocally condemned terrorism. Prime Minister Sharon's response to the new President has been commendable. Israeli and Palestinian security officials and top negotiators have been meeting. Sharon has praised Abu Mazen's efforts and will meet with him shortly. Despite fierce opposition from the settler movement, Sharon is sticking firmly to his plan to withdraw from Gaza and parts of the West Bank. Fragile as it may be, a new flame of hope and optimism has been kindled in the Mid East. That is why I am pleased that the House bipartisan leadership has brought a resolution to the floor today. The bill commends the Palestinians for conducting the elections, congratulates Abu Mazen on his victory, and encourages both sides to take steps toward peace. Mr. Speaker, last night a similar resolution was passed in the other body that I had hoped the House could adopt as well. The language of the Senate resolution is more comprehensive and balanced and lays out a bolder diplomatic vision to achieve Israeli- Palestinian peace. Nevertheless, it is noteworthy that both Houses of Congress are on record commending the Palestinian people and their new President. Let us all commit ourselves to seizing this historic opportunity and hastening the day when Israelis and Palestinians will live side by side in peace.

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the life of a very special young man, Mark Gomez, who recently passed away at age 18. Mark and his parents, Mona and Rudy Gomez, impacted my life very deeply along with many of my staff. Mark was a quietly determined young man who never let his devastating diagnosis of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy interfere with his desire to attend school or excel in his classes. Neither did his parents, Mona and Rudy. When he could not attend public school on his own, they adjusted their work schedules (as U.S. Postal Service employees) so that one of them, usually Rudy, could serve as his attendant. Just as remarkably, Mark loved trains. He rode them and drew beautifully detailed pictures of them. One of his pictures hangs in the Santa Barbara Amtrak Station. Just last year, he fulfilled his longtime dream of circumnavigating the United States by train. I first met the Gomez family when Mark enrolled in kindergarten at Peabody Charter School in Santa Barbara. I was the school Nurse. From the first, making it through the day was a challenge. As his muscles grew weaker and his dependence became more acute, his determination seemed to grow. His parents hosted a fundraiser for the Duchenne Parent Project and family and friends came from far and wide. When I first ran for public office, Mark, Rudy and Mona were super volunteers. We are among those who mourn his passing and are touched by his legacy. So are students, family and staff at Peabody Charter, La Colina Jr. High and Dos Pueblos High School where Mark had just begun his senior year. Mark's steady determination and positive outlook on life, despite his challenges, reminds all of us to be strong in the face of adversity. His spirit and passion live on through his artwork, and his enthusiasm for life will always be remembered. I pledge to Mark's parents to dedicate my efforts to combat Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy to the memory of their son.

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to the artistic contributions of Ray Strong, on the occasion of his 100th Birthday. Ray Strong has contributed to the Santa Barbara community not only through his art, but also through his passion and commitment to education and his dedication to the preservation of our environment. His generosity has touched many, including those young artists fortunate enough to paint with Ray as part of the Oak Group. Ray Strong has assisted in raising money for a number of environmental causes and has brought awareness to many conservation issues through his work. In addition to exhibiting throughout the United States, Ray Strong's work is held in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Institution. I am fortunate to have had some of Ray's pieces grace the walls of all three of my Congressional district offices. Locally, Ray has been honored by Santa Barbara Beautiful and is revered by many in this community for his generosity, spectacular talent and his passion for our physical environment. Ray Strong's enthusiastic dedication to recording the landscape around us reminds me just how precious our natural surroundings are. His commitment to environmental causes and his contributions to the American realist tradition are commendable. Ray Strong is a talented artist, generous teacher and role model to many. I am privileged to know Ray and I continue to be awed by his many talents.

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to honor one of our country's great leaders, and a dear friend Congressman Robert Matsui. Bob Matsui was a valued colleague to every member of the House. He was a leading expert on countless issues that have a profound effect on the lives of millions of Americans, not the least of which is Social Security. From his seat on the Ways and Means Committee, Bob fought on behalf of seniors and children, and sought to build thoughtful bipartisan consensus on one tough issue after another. Bob approached this job with grace, fairness, and dignity. Even though he was chairman of our Party's political committee, he never put partisanship above principle. His intelligence was only exceeded by his compassion. We always refer to one another as ``gentleman'' and ``gentle lady'' on this floor, but there is no Member of Congress for whom the term ``gentleman'' is more appropriate. It is indeed fitting to hold this tribute on the day we swear in the new Congress, because the way Bob conducted himself should be a model for all of us--freshmen and senior Members alike. Bob was a cherished friend and valued mentor to both my late husband Walter and me. When Walter was first elected to Congress, Bob was one of the first people he sought out to ask for advice on his new job. As usual, Bob was generous with his time and his wisdom. We both learned much from him and I have relied on his policy insights and his political instincts more times than I can remember. I know that I will still instinctively look for him on the floor during a tough vote. Mr. Speaker, Bob and Doris Matsui were there for my family and for me when Walter passed away. Today I extend to Doris, Brian, Amy, Anna, and Bob's staff my most heartfelt condolences. I understand how difficult this time is for them. But I am buoyed by knowing that strength in families is never more evident, and important, than during times of adversity and grief. The Matsuis are a strong and wonderful family, and that, perhaps, is Bob's finest legacy of all. We will miss Bob Matsui very much. But we will never, ever forget him.

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I was not able to be present for the following rollcall votes and would like the Record to reflect that I would have voted as follows: Rollcall No. 3--``nay''; rollcall No. 4-- ``nay''; rollcall No. 5--``yea''; rollcall No. 6--``nay.''

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding me this time, and I rise today to support the California Missions Preservation Act. I also want to thank our colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Farr), the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier), and the gentleman from California (Mr. Pombo) for their assistance, and the leadership of our chairman as well in moving this legislation. I also want to thank our Senators, Barbara Boxer and Diane Feinstein, for helping to get this bill successfully through the Senate. Mr. Speaker, California's missions are instantly recognizable as symbols of our States's rich history and cultural heritage, but they are also some of the oldest structures in North America and an integral part of our Nation's heritage, and so they deserve our Federal support. Our State's missions are in dire need of structural attention and major rehabilitation. Natural deterioration and neglect have taken a heavy toll on these missions. Some are crumbling and are at risk. Most need preservation and seismic work to restore their antique beauty and to bring them up to modern safety standards. Without immediate repairs, centuries-old buildings and artifacts could be lost to a major earthquake or a flood. For example, at Mission Santa Barbara in my congressional district, often called the Queen of the Missions, $1.5 million is needed now to repair adobe columns that are turning to salt. Keeping California's missions together will require about $50 million in structural repair work and another $11 million to renovate art works and accommodate visitors. The primary goal of this legislation is to restore and repair the missions and to preserve the art works and artifacts associated with them. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Farr), for giving us the history of what the missions have meant to our State. As every California school child learns, the missions have shaped the future of California. They were among the first European settlements in our region and formed a chain along the coast from San Diego to Sonoma. With respect to our colleague from Nevada and his concerns about chapters of history that the missions were associated with, I would submit that preserving the missions gives us an opportunity to preserve that sorry chapter of our Nation's history and to learn from those lessons so that we do not repeat them. The missions are also among the State's most frequently visited historic sites, attracting more than 5.5 million tourists each year, contributing greatly to our State's economy. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be part of this important effort on behalf of California's missions. This long overdue effort is encouraging in that the entire California congressional delegation has responded with such enthusiasm about this bill. Again, I want to thank my colleagues for supporting it and urge its immediate passage.

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 531, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, as we come to the end of another Congress, as the country stands ready to pick a new President for the next 4 years, it is appropriate to ask is America better off today than it was 4 years ago. In terms of health care, the answer is clearly no. Since 2001, as the economy has weakened, the cost of insurance has risen. These two factors have increased the number of uninsured Americans. There are now over 5 million more Americans without insurance than at the beginning of the Bush administration. That is right, 5.2 million more. In 2004, insurance premiums went up 11 percent, and at the same time inflation and, more importantly, workers' wages have gone up by less than 3 percent. This unaffordable increase comes on top of an increase of almost 14 percent in 2003, 13 percent in 2002, almost 11 percent in 2001. Each of these increases far outstrips pay raises. So in that time, a family's share of health insurance premiums have gone up $1,000, a whopping 57 percent. With such a weak economy and without sufficient increases in wages, these increases are devastating to a working family; but this administration, this congressional leadership have not done a thing to help. In fact, they have made it harder to help people struggling with the high cost of insurance. Just last week, the administration took over $1 billion in unused children's health insurance funds away from the States. This money could have easily been redistributed to shore up State programs and to expand coverage. And despite the continuing State budget crises, the administration has refused to grant more fiscal relief. These actions and the refusal of the administration to put more funding into Medicaid have put unbelievable pressure on States to cut back their insurance programs. In 2004, 19 States cut benefits. Twenty have increased copayments. In 2003, 18 States cut benefits and 17 increased copayments. And as of right now, nine more States plan to take these steps in the coming year. This is all happening because of the administration's refusal to help. In addition, under the President's watch, prescription drug prices have skyrocketed. The administration did nothing to reduce these prices or to help people pay for them. Last year, the Republican leadership and this President shoved a Medicare bill through the House in the dead of night. That bill, written by the prescription drug and private insurance companies, offered a sham prescription drug benefit. The President and congressional leadership blocked Medicare from negotiating lower prices for Medicare beneficiaries in the bill, and the President has fought efforts to allow seniors to import cheaper prescription medications, despite bipartisan support. Their answer was the so-called prescription drug discount card, which has proved to be a failure. Reports done by the House Committee on Government Reform, and I did them in my district, have exposed that the prices with these cards can be higher than Canadian drug prices, and they are much higher than the prices seniors could get if Medicare would negotiate on behalf of America's 40 million seniors. But this is not even the worst of it. The President's bill has set the stage to privatize Medicare. It shovels an additional $46 billion to managed care companies in order to push seniors into HMOs. And the President has asked seniors to pay for that by increasing their own premiums by 17 percent. The media reports that the administration is hiding bigger premium increases down the road. It seems pretty clear to me that America is not better off than it was 4 years ago. Democrats want to lower the cost of health insurance for small businesses through a new tax credit. We want to extend health insurance coverage to 7\1/2\ million parents through Medicaid and CHIP, and we want to help older Americans who cannot afford to purchase health insurance so they can buy into Medicare. Democrats have a New Partnership For America's Future, one that ensures our security and lays the foundation for a strong and prosperous economy, and that is what we are fighting for.

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I would like permission to speak in place of my colleague, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Emanuel).

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding me the time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this proposed constitutional amendment. As lawmakers, our responsibility is to preserve the rights and dignity of all Americans. That leaves me to oppose this constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage. I support the right of a State or local jurisdiction to give gay and lesbian couples equal marriage rights under the law. This proposal is an unnecessary and divisive attack on the gay and lesbian community. It would dictate that communities deny the equal provision of rights, benefits and responsibilities of partnership for gay and lesbian couples. This is an unparalleled attempt to force discrimination against a group of Americans. It is antithetical to other constitutional amendments that expand rights for women and African-Americans. Mr. Speaker, the Constitution exists to protect our rights, not to take them away. This amendment would be the first, and only, amendment to set aside one group of Americans, giving them fewer rights than other Americans. Additionally, it would strip them of rights currently given them by several States. Gay and lesbian couples deserve to have their commitment honored with the same rights to insurance, health care authority and visitation, adoption and other benefits granted to committed couples. I thought the days of enshrining discrimination in our laws were long behind us. A century ago, women were unable to file for divorce and could not have owned property. What if we had enshrined that discrimination for all time? Within the last 40 years, interracial marriages were outlawed. Imagine if that had been formalized in the Constitution. This complete disregard for human rights is not necessary to protect religious freedom in our country either. No church or other house of worship is required to marry couples of the same gender. The role of the Federal Government in defining the institution of marriage has historically been a limited one, deferring to States and religious organizations. So this is a cruel and callous attempt to disenfranchise a group of Americans for political gain. It calls for the discrimination of a group in a document almost exclusively devoted to protecting and expanding the rights of Americans. I urge my colleagues to reject this amendment and this attempt to insert bigotry into our Constitution.

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. I thank my colleague from the District of Columbia for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this bill. Our troops are struggling in Iraq. The budget deficit is at an all-time high. The Republican-led Congress has failed to finish its work on the budget, on appropriations bills, the highway bill, all of the legislation vital to keeping our country going, and the response from the Republican leadership? Pass a bill repealing gun laws in the District of Columbia. Mr. Speaker, this is a bad bill on its own merit and an affront to the citizens of Washington, D.C. The citizens of this District have the right to enact laws to make their neighborhoods safer without interference from the Congress and the NRA. This is election-year politics practiced at the expense of District residents who do not even have a vote in the House or the Senate. Mr. Speaker, the fight against terrorism is a focus of this Presidential campaign, as it should be, and the fight against terrorism is a given in our daily lives. We live in a time of high alerts. Checkpoints now ring this Capitol. Yet passage of this bill into law would certainly not aid in our war against terrorism. It would in fact encourage proliferation of weapons in the immediate vicinity of the Capitol, the White House, the Supreme Court, and scores of Federal agencies and foreign embassies located throughout this city. One would think that our congressional leadership would want us to support the policemen and -women who work to protect us and these institutions which are such national symbols, all of which present tempting targets for terrorists or the deranged. But this legislation would undermine the efforts of our local law enforcement and put our police at even greater risk. It is an antipolice bill, abuse of congressional power, and an attempt to draw attention away from what we should be working on. I urge my colleagues to vote down this ill-conceived measure.

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the achievements of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme as they celebrate National Kids Day. Boys and Girls Clubs of America and KidsPeace created National Kids Day in 2001 to foster stronger relationships between adults and children by educating them on the importance and value of spending meaningful time together. National Kids Day provides the opportunity for every adult to take a break, celebrate and renew their commitment to our Nation's children. National Kids Day is so important because it emphasizes the importance of meaningful time spent with kids, not only on this special day, but each day of the year. Kids Day serves as a reminder that children need positive adult role models in their lives. As a nurse, I understand firsthand the importance of education and the effect that having adult involvement in each child's life has on grades, self- esteem, and overall success. While most adults recognize the importance of success in school, many feel that they do not have enough time to spend in their children's educational enrichment, reading to them, helping with homework, etc. Parents, in today's busy world, are also often too busy to spend time exercising with their children. Kids Day reminds all of us about the importance of helping our kids with their schoolwork in improving grades and performance, and the importance of physical activity in reducing the risk of obesity and diabetes. I am proud to support the Boys and Girls Club and Kids Day to help raise awareness about issues that affect all of our Nation's families and children.

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to proceed with my Special Order at this time.